Coupling device for harness-straps



(No Model.)

1 N. W. HUNTER. 1 COUPLING DEVICE FOR HARNESS STRAPS.

No. 318,116. Patent'edMay 19, 1885.

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UNITED STATES NATHANIEL W. HUNTER,

PATENT OFFICE.

or DES Mourns, IOWA.

COUPLING DEVICE FOR HARNESS-STRAPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,116, dated May 19, 1885.

Application filed January 2, 1885.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that LNATHANIEL W.HUNTER, of Des Moines,in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented an Improved Coupling Device for Harness-Straps, of which the following is a specification.

My object is to facilitate the combination of a back-strap, hip-straps, a crupper, and a sweat-leather by means of a metal coupling device, and to thereby save leather, time, and labor in making harness.

My invention consists in the construction of a metal ring or frame having a central raised platform adapted to cover the ends of straps and provided with studs adapted to enter perforations in the straps, and combining straps and a sweat-leather therewith, as hereinafter fully set forth. x y

Figure 1 of my accompanying drawings is top viewof my metal coupling device. Fig. 2 shows it in an inverted position and the sweat-leather detached. Fig. 3is atransverse section.

Jointly considered,these figures clearly illustrate the construction, application, and operation of my complete invention.

a or represent the frame of my metal coupling device, and b a raised web or platform formed within the frame and cast integral therewith to cover the ends of leather straps, and to reenforce and strengthen the frame.

Number 1 is a slot formed in the front of the combined frame and platform for the admission of the end of a back-strap. Number 2 is a corresponding slot in the rear to admit the end of a crupper-strap. Numbers 3 and 4 are corresponding slots in the opposite sides to admit the ends of hip-straps. These slots take the place of loops through which the ends of straps are commonly extended or doubled back and sewed fast. 7

Numbers 5 and 6 are small loops formed on the front corners of the frame to facilitate the attachment of small straps for various purposes, or for inserting hooks on the ends of traces, and thus serve as trace-carriers. These loops numbers 5 and 6 are not essential to the operation of the device as a strap-coupling,

' and may be dispensed with whenever desired.

c a are studs or short tongues formed in- (No model.)

fasten the metal coupling device and a sweatleather together.

f is a sweat-leather,upon which the frame a and the ends of the straps fastened under the platform I) and within the frame rest in such a manner as to conceal and protect the ends of the leather straps.

I am aware thatametal plate having guards and passage-ways for leather straps, and pins on its upper side to enter perforations in the straps, and a metal plate having trace-carrying hooks on its top have been combined in a harness; but my manner of forming a metal plate with a raised center, slots in its edges, and tongues on its under side adapting it to be combined with two or more straps and a sweat-leather in a harness is novel and greatly advantageous.

I am also aware that a sweat-leather has been secured under a metal trace-carrier and strap-coupling by sewing it fast to the leather straps combined therewith.

By forming the metal coupling device complete in one piece and arched, the straps and also the sweat-leather can be fastened thereto by a single rivet in such a manner that the sweat-leather will be concave, as required, to fit on the back of a horse, andthe leather straps retained in proper position by means of the flexible pad that overlaps them inside and also outside of the metal frame.

I claim as my invention 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a harness-strap-coupling device, consisting of a ring or frame having an elevated middle portion that has horizontal slots on its sides near the base to admit the ends of leather straps, two or more loops on its outside, studs projecting downward from the middle portion or more loops on its outside, in combination to enter perforations in the straps, and aperwith two or more straps and a leather, f, for foration in the center of the middle portion to the purposes stated.

admit a rivet. NATHANIEL W. HUNTER.

'5 2. The metal frame and coupling device a Witnesses:.

I), having slots 1 2 3 4, a central perforation, THEODORE PERRY, two or more studs on its under side, and two THOMAS G. ORWIG. 

